Category Archives: Anecdotal Stories

What’s In a Name? Scripture References: Matthew 1:21; Luke 2:21 AYDS, a diet-control candy, made great profits for its manufacturer from 1941 until the 1980s. By 1988, sales dropped as much as 50 percent. Nothing in the product changed, but … Continue reading →

To Bring the Light Scripture References: Isaiah 60:16, 19; Ephesians 3:10-11 An English doctor found writing short stories more to his liking than writing prescriptions. After numerous rejections, Beeton’s Christmas Annual delighted the doctor by publishing his murder tale in … Continue reading →

To Bring the Light Scripture References: Isaiah 55:1-2; Ephesians 5:19-20 Returning to his hut late one night after Bible study, Ernest Gordon thought he heard singing from another hut. He stopped and listened. It was singing. To the accompaniment of … Continue reading →

To Stay Out of Despair Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 15:16; Luke 7:18-19 The Green Beret prisoner crouched in a small shipping crate in which his Vietnamese captors forced him. The incredible heat, the infernal mosquitoes, and the constant poking from … Continue reading →

In a Few Minutes Time Scripture References: Isaiah 7:14; Luke 2:15 The priests in St. Nicolas Church, Obendorf, Austria, panicked Christmas Eve, 1818, when the church organ malfunctioned. The assistant pastor quickly penned a six-stanza poem, beginning with the words … Continue reading →

Gone to the Dogs Scripture References: Nehemiah 12:27-28, 31, 38; Hebrews 10:25 Neighbors close to a large kennel began to complain about the disruptive noise. The owner decided to experiment with music piped through the kennels to see if it … Continue reading →

Not Really Scripture Scripture References: Genesis 3:2-4; Romans 7:24-25 In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius praised his father as a man who could appreciate, without pride or apology, whatever good came to him. What he possessed he enjoyed; what he couldn’t … Continue reading →

Even the Depraved Scripture References: Deuteronomy 1:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 While working undercover for the FBI, Joseph Pistone found that even Mafia soldiers have strong moral feelings. What did they feel about Iran, while it held our embassy? Bomb Teheran. … Continue reading →

Having and Solving Scripture References: 1 Samuel 25:10-11; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 The National Center for Health Statistics surveyed over 42,000 adults in 1991 and discovered that while depression was more common for women, men were more restless, and both felt … Continue reading →

The Delusion of Wealth Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:10-12; 1 Timothy 6:17-19 A national survey, conducted by scientists at the Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration, found that over half of Americans feel at least moderate stress in their lives. … Continue reading →

Learning From Other’s Mistakes Scripture References: Jeremiah 7:12; 1 Corinthians 10:11 On October 25, 1983, United States forces invaded the island of Granada, in the eastern Caribbean. Hard-line Marxists had seized control of the government, assassinated the previous ruler, and … Continue reading →

Not to Erase the Good Scripture References: Ezekiel 18:21-22; Colossians 3:13 A couple enjoyed a wonderful twenty—year marriage. Compatible in every way, it seemed the perfect match. When he died, the widow proved inconsolable. Her life had come to an … Continue reading →

Even They Scripture References: Joshua 7:2-5; 1 Corinthians 10:12 George Morar made his first parachute jump in Korea when his plane went down behind enemy lines. It saved his life. In 1983 he made his last jump from a small … Continue reading →

Not That at All Scripture References: Job 42:6; 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 Columbus’ fortunes plummeted after his first voyage. When he returned under fire from his second, he decided that pride had led God to frown on his achievements. To curry … Continue reading →

Only a Few Scripture References: Psalm 18:1-3, 16-17; Romans 8:17 Forty-six percent of actors and actresses live in Los Angeles and 36 percent in New York. In 1982 they earned an unevenly distributed $459 million. More than 81 percent of … Continue reading →

In His Mind Scripture References: Nehemiah 4:6; Colossians 3:9-10 “Bat,” or “Roman Nose,” as the whites called him, stood six feet three inches. He claimed to possess great medicine in a headdress he wore in all battles. It repeatedly protected … Continue reading →

Each Person Needs Scripture References: Jeremiah 2:35; 3:13; Mark 10:13-17 While his studies led Nicolaus Copernicus from a geocentric to a heliocentric perception of the universe, he retained an unaltered personal faith in God. And, in a spiritual humility many … Continue reading →

Not Able to Forget Scripture References: Genesis 9:15-16; 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 He stormed ashore on Utah Beach, June 6, 1944, a young infantryman, alert and frightened. In the village of Sainte Mere Eglise, he blundered into a German patrol and … Continue reading →

A Mother’s Memory Scripture References: Joshua 22:21-28; John 11:51-52 In 1961, a seventeen-year-old runaway who was serving time in a reform school surrendered the son born to her there. In 1980 she began a determined effort to find the boy … Continue reading →